Targeting the Poor of the Sitios through Adopt-A Barangay: Basis for University Extension Programs

Abstract

San Juan is the poorest barangay in Malvar, Batangas, Philippines for having the highest number of households with income below poverty threshold. San Juan also has the most number of households with income below food threshold (CBMS 2012). For these reasons, San Juan was chosen for the Adopt-A Barangay project of BatStateU-Malvar. The 100 respondents are composed of female adult (67%), youth (15%), male adult (11%) and senior citizen (7%). They were mostly concentrated in the two sitios of Hiyaw and Balayan. Results of the survey confirmed the Community Based Monitor System (CBMS) report particularly on education and livelihood. Most of the respondents are elementary graduates with children in the elementary level. Most of them also are farmers and vendors with no other income and no other skills. However, most of them also do not have idea of what skill to have and training to attend to improve their current situation. Two important issues emerged as basis for intervention of the university. First is the provision of education for out-of school youth (OSY) to finish high school or of technical- vocational training to acquire competency needed by the industry. Second is the provision of livelihood trainings for female adults to start a business even at home.